Here is my little review on the newest Oophoi CD, released by Databloem:

Oophoi "Il Silenzio Di Dio" CD

After highly treasured "Time Fragments" Box Set on Databloem's Practising Nature, here comes the new album by Oophoi (aka Gianluigi Gasparetti) on this Dutch label, recorded live in the Calabrian village of Archiaro in June of 2008. Gigi unfolds the journey with chasmal drones entitled "Bisbigli Di Angeli Tra Cielo E Terra Part 1" and spiced by distant cavernous voices while later singing bowls sneak into the drifts. Deep, mysterious and immersive, Oophoi droning at its finest! After transfering unnoticed into the next part of "Bisbigli Di Angeli Tra Cielo E Terra", the texture gets slightly more active, deeply transcendent meditative mind journey! "Lux Aeterna" belongs to more peaceful and tranquil compositions. "Le Acque Del Plenilunio" marks the return to abysmal territories, yet sounding quite organic and peppered by heartbeats on the background and rotating lively parts with various sound insertions and emerging ocassional angelic choir-like sounds. Magnificently effective 16-minute opus!!! Oophoi again at the very top of his craft painting mysteriously beautiful sceneries. To me, most likely one of the best pieces Gigi has ever made, grandióso!!! "Sognando La Grande Madre" moves to more driving and industrialized level with assorted echoed metallic sounds, singing bowls, with intense droning buzz and sonics reminiscent of chirping sounds of cicadas. This strange palette of colors easily reaches a kind of transcendental sonic experience! "Il Tempo Della Fine" floates on spatial waves with ethereal romantic piano tunes. Hauntingly warm and silent and quite relieving piece of music creating natural state of harmony. Title composition "Il Silenzio Di Dio" remains on the essential route with spiraling and echoed drifts, a closer filled with serenity and majesty! "Il Silenzio Di Dio" album is magnificently colorful sonic vision of this Italian drone virtuoso, but all pieces seem to bridge masterfully together into one incredible journey. As usual for latest Databloem releases, "Il Silenzio Di Dio" CD comes in nicely designed digi file packaging. Last, but most important, keep on fighting, Gigi!!!

Just got mine in the mail today. I've put it through two spins already and I can tell it's going to be a favorite. Very eclectic mix of sounds here, but it all hangs together in a wonderful way. And yes, "Il Tempo della Fine" is achingly gorgeous. I've been fascinated by the concept of an end of time ever since I was a child, so this piece had particular resonance for me. I also really loved the deep pulses of "Le Acque del Plenilunio" and the appropriate stillness of the title track. Amazing work, Gigi, and a very welcome return!